Chinese envoy: Beijing has no personal interest in Rohingya issue

China has no personal interest in the Rohingya issue but is making genuine efforts to help Bangladesh and Myanmar resolve the problem, the country’s newly-appointed ambassador to Bangladesh said on Wednesday. Zhang Zuo told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that there is no quick fix to the problem, calling it a “complicated issue with historical, ethnic and religious complexities”. "China has no personal interest in that issue,” he said. “We are making genuine efforts to help Bangladesh and Myanmar. Our suggestion is genuine, objective and constructive." Ambassador Zuo emphasized the need for Bangladesh and Myanmar to find solutions through bilateral discussion. "We will remain impartial to either side," he said. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on January 16 to facilitate the safe return of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who have crossed into Bangladesh from their Rakhine state homeland in the past 18 months. Although the 'Physical Arrangement' stipulates that the repatriation will be completed preferably within two years, so far Myanmar has verified only around 400 Rohingyas from a list of 8,032 compiled by the authorities in Bangladesh. Ambassador Zuo said China is urging Myanmar to attach greater importance to address the list “as soon as possible”, and to receive and settle the Rohingyas at an early date. Ambassador Zuo added that as the rainy season approaches, Rohingyas in Bangladesh are facing new challenges. "We are willing to do what we can to help them," he said. On March 13, United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, urged the international community and influential countries to continue to act effectively and show moral leadership for the safe return of Rohingyas to their homeland. "I sincerely hope China will play its role as one of the major powers in this region,” Adama told reporters during his Bangladesh visit. “It is very important. It is about humanity, it is about saving lives. We need to show moral leadership."

Bangladesh elections

Ambassador Zuo said China is paying close attention to the political situation in Bangladesh as the country moves towards a parliamentary election. "We hope to see smooth general elections in Bangladesh and we hope Bangladesh will have steady development," he said. Zhang Zuo said China would respect the choice made by the Bangladeshi people and hoped that the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Bangladesh will move forward to new levels. The Chinese Ambassador said he will do his best to help implement the important consensus on cooperation reached by the leaders from the two countries, and to promote the development of Bangladesh-China strategic partnership “in a better way”. He cited plans by Bangladesh and China in 2018 to hold the 12th diplomatic consultation, the second Bangladesh-China dialogue on maritime cooperation, a joint working group meeting on China-Bangladesh free trade agreement, and the first round of consular consultation. Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy Chen Wei and other senior officials were also present at Wednesday’s briefing, held at the Embassy.